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IAIS Little Vermillion River Bridge

Deck Plate Girder Bridge over Little Vermillion River
LaSalle, LaSalle County, Illinois

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Name IAIS Little Vermillion River Bridge
Built By Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad
Contractor (1900 Spans) American Bridge Company of New York
Contractor (1952 Spans) Bethlehem Steel Company of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Currently Owned By Iowa Interstate Railroad
Length 156 Feet Total, 54 Foot Largest Span
Width 2 Tracks, 1 In Use
Height Above Ground 5 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Deck Plate Girder
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1900; Partially Replaced 1952
Traffic Count 6 Trains/Day (Estimated)
Current Status In Use
RI Bridge Number 982
Significance Minimal Significance
Documentation Date June 2015


Located in the town of LaSalle, this standard deck plate girder bridge crosses the Little Vermillion River.
In 1900, a three span deck girder bridge was constructed at this location, using the original 1854 substructures. In 1952, these stone piers were encased in concrete, and two spans were replaced with identical spans.
Bridges like these are standard to cross small to medium sized rivers. Typically durable, these bridges provide extra load capacity as well.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair condition, with minor deterioration noted.

The author has ranked the bridge as being minimally significant, due to the common design and newer age.
The photo above is an overview.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Bethlehem Steel Company plaque
Contractor Bethlehem Steel Company plaque
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele